Working with Asbestos – Tradesmen

If you are a tradesman or in a situation where you may be working with asbestos containing materials: Make sure you avoid disturbing it and that you are properly trained and know how to work safely. Always enquire if the building has been checked for asbestos. It’s your right to be protected from this dangerous material. If it’s a non- domestic building built before the year 2000, it is a legal requirement that there must be a survey and register of all asbestos containing materials (ACMs) within the building. This document must accurately provide information on the location and condition of all ACMs and should be given to you by whoever manages the building.

Make certain that all work has been properly planned and appropriate precautions are in place. Do not start work if you are not sure if there is asbestos where you are working or if you have not been trained to do non-licensed work with asbestos. If the material is insulation board, sprayed coatings, pipe lagging on pipes and boilers or loose insulation then only licensed contractors are permitted to work with these products. Non licensed materials include Asbestos cement products, textured coatings and certain other materials. A full list of non-licensed materials can be found in Asbestos Essentials as published by the HSENI.

Asbestos Essentials task sheets will show you how to do a range of non-licensed tasks safely and are free to download at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials

If you have any queries or would like further information or clarification on any asbestos issues, please feel free to get in touch. Tel: 07702 332 333 or Email: philip@acebuildingsurveys.co.uk